Almighty God's Two Jewish Witnesses Are At Hand!

The Day of Christ's/Messiah's coming for His body the Church just before the great and dreadful Day of the Lord are at hand! All signs point to that today. We have never seen in the 6000 year history of man at present the great global flux and conscious understanding that doom awaits at the very door step.

Just after the Rapture of the church transpires (which the scoffers and haters of the Grace of God totally reject), there will be a massive void of light and truth here on earth, i.e., there will not be one true Believer left on earth at this time. There will be billions of unregenerate (unbelieving) human beings in great darkness with a godless form of Christianity. This final form of apostate Christianity is referred to as the “Mustard Tree” and “Leavened Loaf” (Matthew 13:31-33). At the very moment in which the Body of Christ is caught up to meet Christ in the air (see 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 John 3:2-3), God will send down his Two Witnesses from Heaven, His Two Mighty Candlesticks. These Two Candlesticks will burn brilliantly in this post Church/ post Age of Grace darkened world, sharing the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Messiah (Rev. 11:3-12).

"God will send down his Two Witnesses from Heaven, His Two Mighty Candlesticks. These Two Candlesticks will burn brilliantly in this post Church/ post Age of Grace darkened world, sharing the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Messiah"

Almighty God is never without a human witness upon His earth. There has been much debate of who these two witnesses might be. The Bible elsewhere indicates that they will be Elijah (see Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 17:10-13) and Moses (see Malachi 4:2; Luke 9:29-30; Matthew 17:1-3), two great patriarchs and torches of light from Israel’s past sent to a presently unbelieving Israel. Under their leadership and powerful preaching, 144,000 Jewish men will be saved (see Rev. 7:3-8). These 144,000 saved Jews shall then be sent (Matt 24:14) into all the world during this time of Great Tribulation, preaching the True Gospel of Jesus Christ the Messiah before His soon-to-be Second Coming. Multitudes will come to a saving knowledge of the Messiah of Israel through their ministry (see Rev. 7:9-17). At the climax of His return (Rev. 19:11-16), Christ-Messiah will establish His Millennial Kingdom in Israel (Rev.20:6).

In the first part of the 3 1/2 years called the Tribulation period - which is coming upon the Whole World (see Luke 21:35) - God's Two Mighty Jewish Witnesses (Rev.11:3-13) will speak with great authority and rebuke the inhabitants of the world for their vile godlessness deeds. They will also preach repentance and faith in Jesus Messiah for Salvation. The Bible says that their WORDS will torment the inhabitants of the World with reality and truth (John 3:18-21, 2 Thess. 2:2:10-12, Rev 11:10). Satan will seek to destroy these Two Witnesses via the media, national governments, assassination attempts, etc. - all to no avail until the allotted time. They will preach God's Word and it will torment those who reject it. We can see today just a glimpse of what will be attempted in the near future.

Jesus said, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (John 3:19-21).

How real and how true is this truth! People run for the hills, change the subject, run for cover, hide their children, tremble and shake whenever the True Gospel message of Jesus Christ is declared. . When this seven year tribulation begins, there will be great wars, famine, pestilence and death (Rev 6). about 65% of mankind will die during this time! It is during these catastrophic, calamitous events that the world will look exclusively to this man to give them answers, stability and hope they so desperately want and need. Since they have rejected the gospel message and the love of the truth of salvation from their true Creator (2 Thess. 2:10-12), the Beast (Anti-Christ) will step into the vacuum/ void and rise to receive god-like status and devotion. It is during his political apex that a crucial event transpires. He will receive a deadly wound to his head (Rev. 13:3,14; 17:8,11). This event will have a traumatic effect on the godless world population - 3 billion people or so that are left - at this time. Their great leader and human savior, their one and only hope for world peace, is dead. The Utopian Dream is now gone; Global Camelot is dead! Great mourning and glowing memorials all around the world will be taking place. As the world inhabitants mope and cannot cope with their misery, godless emotions will run amok. In their rage and emotional turmoil they will seek a scapegoat on which to vent their frustrations. This scapegoat will be the Nation of Israel and Believers in the Messiah of Israel, much like Nazi Germany in the 1930's (see Zech. 14:1-2; Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:11-13). . "The ravished world's mourning will turn into great joy at the resuscitation of this man (Lucifer's lawless tool). “He's Alive!,” will be their cry. “Our great leader and humanity's savior is alive!” . It is during this time of great despair and godless anguish that the “deadly wound” of this man will be miraculously healed (Rev. 13:3)! The world's mourning will turn into great joy at the resuscitation of this man. “He's Alive!,” will be their cry. “Our great leader and savior is alive!” It is at this key moment and event that he will absolutely solidify his global allegiance and power base (Rev. 17:11-12,17). His first act of authority is to destroy Almighty God's two witnesses (Rev. 11:7-8), which bare witness to the Saving Grace of Almighty God. For three and a half years these two witnesses have been unmovable and unstoppable. They have tormented the ungodly world with their message from Heaven: “Repent and be saved!,” and “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” (John 3:18-19; Rev. 11:10). After the execution of God's two witnesses, their bodies are left in the streets of Jerusalem to rot and for all to see. The world will greatly rejoice at the barbaric murder of these two men! These Two Witnesses of Almighty God have finally been destroyed! The godless world will rejoice so much as to send great gifts to one another (Rev. 11:7-10). This execution of God's undefeatable messengers will serve to solidify even more the power and authority of the Beast (Anti-Christ)! The global chant will be: "Who can make war with our great leader?,” (Rev. 13:4,8). It will be a time of great rejoicing for the godless inhabitants of the earth! This rejoicing, however, will be very short-lived. . "The world will greatly rejoice at the barbaric murder of these two men! These Two Witnesses of Almighty God have finally been destroyed! The godless world will rejoice so much as to send great gifts to one another"

Parenthetical "Three and a half days later after this brutal murder in the midst of this “Global Mardi-Gras” Festival, God's two powerful witnesses are resurrected in the sight of all the world and are ascended up into Heaven right before their wicked eyes. This very sobering event will send great horror and fear into the hearts of all the world, but they will still not repent and be saved." (Rev. 11:11,12).

With his mighty enemies eliminated and the absolute devotion of the world secured, the ultimate power-grab and godless coup of all time and eternity takes place. This is called The Abomination of Desolation (Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14-15; 2 Thess. 2:3-5; Rev. 13:4)! It will be at this time that all Hell will absolutely break lose! It will make the present destruction of Haiti look like a Sunday School picnic. Woe unto those who are alive at this time! Woe!

My friend, God loves you and sent his Son Jesus Messiah/Christ to be our Savior, and to save us from the wrath which is to come on the ungodly. You don't have to hide from Him. He is there to receive you as you receive Him, and to love you and deliver you from the judgment and consequences of sin. The Day of the Lord is at hand! Will you be ready?

Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, trust Him today! Quit hiding in fearfulness and receive Him today. Only Christ will CHANGE your life and you will never be the same!

The Gospel of John ChallengeWhat is Sin? Setting In The West and Rising In The East - The Glorious Gospel Message Satan's Abomination of Desolation and Christ's Salvation of Desolation Seventy Weeks of Daniel 1-3

Posted by The Ignorant Fishermen at 6:31 PM 0 comments Tuesday, March 9, 2010 61 THINGS THAT WERE TRUE OF ME BEFORE I WAS SAVED

Contemplating what God has graciously done for hell-deserving sinners ought to encourage and thrill the soul of every blood-bought child of God!

As the hymn writer has said, "Oh to grace how great a debtor, daily I'm constrained to be!" (Robert Robinson). Paul, in referring to the redemption and forgiveness that believers have in Christ, spoke of "the RICHES of His GRACE" (Ephesians 1:7). Elsewhere he said, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10). God has given to every believer everlasting consolation (eternal encouragement) and good hope through grace (2 Thess. 2:16-17). "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that YE through his poverty might be RICH" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Many believers fail to appreciate the RICHES that they have. The story is told of an aged silver miner who had spent his whole life searching for silver in the mountains of the Old West. He had become so involved with his search that his wife and children had left him. When he died, the handful of people who came to bury him found in his possessions a note instructing them to bury him under his cabin. As the shovels turned over the earth, a lustrous gray material began to appear. It was the famous Comstock Silver Vein, the richest in California history. That miner had been a billionaire all his life, but he did not know about the wealth that he had and he had never claimed it. He did not realize how rich he really was. . "In order to fully appreciate the riches of God's grace we need to contrast our present position in Christ with our former unregenerate state when we were outside of Christ and dead in sin"

Every true believer is a spiritual billionaire. The Bible says that Christ became poor (and died for us) that we through His poverty might be RICH (2 Cor. 8:9). The believer, who is a child of the King, often goes around living like a PAUPER rather than living like a PRINCE. God wants us to know how RICH we are because of His matchless grace: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing!

We cannot possess our possessions if we do not know what they are. We cannot walk worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1) if we do not know what our calling is. The great facts and truths found in God's Word must be claimed by faith. We must see ourselves as God sees us in Christ. By faith we must lay claim to what has already been given to us in Christ. The grace of God teaches us and instructs us how to live (Titus 2:11-12). God's method of instruction is to first show us and teach us what He has done for us in grace, and then we are told to walk accordingly. Ephesians 5:8 illustrates this well: "For ye were sometimes [formerly, referring to our unregenerate state] darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." We are to walk in light of WHO WE ARE. We are to "be what we are." Our actual CONDITION is to match our glorious POSITION. The more we, by faith, lay hold of the glorious facts of our POSITION in Christ, the more this will affect our actual state and CONDITION as we walk with the Lord in time. . May the eyes of our understanding be enlightened, that we may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (see Ephesians 1:18-19).

In order to fully appreciate the riches of God's grace we need to contrast our present position in Christ with our former unregenerate state when we were outside of Christ and dead in sin. The glories of God's grace shine brighter against the black background of our past state and condition before we met the Saviour. God never wants us to forget WHAT WE WERE prior to our salvation: "Wherefore REMEMBER, that ye being in time past [formerly, when in an unsaved state] Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time YE WERE without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:11-12 and compare Titus 3:3). Thus, before we consider our riches in Christ, let us consider...

I was on the broad way (road) leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13). I was lost (Luke 19:10; 2 Corinthians 4:3). I was condemned already because of my unbelief (John 3:18; compare 1 Corinthians 11:32). I was a lover of darkness (John 3:19). I was under God's abiding wrath (John 3:36) awaiting God's coming wrath (Luke 3:7; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6). I was an ignorant worshipper (John 4:22). I was an evildoer deserving judgment (John 5:29; compare 3 John 11). I was of the world and from below or beneath (John 8:23). I was yet in my sins (John 8:21,24; compare John 20:23). I was a child of the devil (John 8:44). I was a Christ-rejecter (John 12:48). I was a Christ-hater (John 15:18) and a hater of those belonging to Christ (John 17:14). I was under the power of Satan (Acts 26:18; 1 John 5:19). I was unthankful, not giving honor to God (Romans 1:21). I was unrighteous (Romans 1:29-31; 3:10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). I was under sin (Romans 3:9) and sin-sick (Luke 5:31-32). I was unprofitable (Romans 3:12; compare Philemon 11). I was without the fear of God (Romans 3:18). I was guilty before God (Romans 3:19). I was a sinner (Romans 3:23; 5:8). I was without strength (Romans 5:6). I was ungodly (Romans 5:6; 4:5). I was God's enemy (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21). I was a servant (slave) of sin (Romans 6:17,20; John 8:34). I was deserving of death (Romans 6:23; compare 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). I was in the flesh (Romans 7:5; 8:8). I was in danger of perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Luke 13:3,5). I was a natural man who considered the things of God as foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:14). I was under God's curse (1 Corinthians 16:22). I was blinded by the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4). I was part of this present evil world (Galatians 1:4). I was dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1,5; Colossians 2:13). I was walking according to the course of Satan's world (Ephesians 2:2). I was a child of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). I was a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). I was without Christ (Ephesians 2:12). I was an alien from the commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:12). I was a stranger from the covenants of promise (Ephesians 2:12,19). I was one who had no hope (Ephesians 2:12) and no foundation (Luke 6:48). I was without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). I was far off (Ephesians 2:13). I was walking in the vanity of my mind (Ephesians 4:17). I was one whose understanding was darkened (Ephesians 4:18; Romans 1:21). I was alienated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18; Colossians 1:21). I was ignorant (Ephesians 4:18). I was blind and hardened (Ephesians 4:18). I was given over to unbridled lust (Ephesians 4:19). I was corrupt according to deceitful lusts (Ephesians 4:22). I was once of the darkness and of the night (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; 1 John 2:11). I was in the realm and under the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13; Luke 1:79; Acts 26:18). I was one who did not know God (1 Thessalonians 4:5). I was foolish (Titus 3:3; Romans 1:22). I was disobedient (Titus 3:3). I was deceived (Titus 3:3). I was one who served various lusts and pleasures (Titus 3:3). I was one who lived in malice and envy (Titus 3:3). I was one who was hateful and was hating one another (Titus 3:3). I was a sheep who had gone astray (1 Peter 2:25). I was one who lived in the flesh to the lusts of men (1 Peter 4:2). I was one who walked in lasciviousness, lusts, abominable idolatries, etc. (1 Peter 4:3). I was sensual, having not the Spirit (Jude 19). . In light of our former, unsaved state and condition, notice how important the little word "but" is in these precious passages:

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2:2-5).

"For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:3-5).

"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:12-13). . Now that you know what was true of you when you were dead in your trespasses and sins, now see the things that are true for you - from God's Word - when you asked Christ into your heart and found God's pardon and forgiveness. , 215 THINGS THAT ARE TRUE OF ME NOW THAT I AM SAVED , The Kingdom of heaven is at Hand! , GZ I.F. , The Gospel of John Challenge

Posted by The Ignorant Fishermen at 7:30 PM 0 comments The 60's Sexual Revolution - Reaping The Consequences

Today, Reuters has released an article on the mind blowing stats of the number of individuals that are infected with and possess the incurable disease of herpes in the United States.

"WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) - About 16 percent of Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 are infected with genital herpes, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, U.S. health officials said on Tuesday.

Black women had the highest rate of infection at 48 percent and women were nearly twice likely as men to be infected, according to an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 21 percent of women were infected with genital herpes, compared to only 11.5 percent of men, while 39 percent of blacks were infected compared to about 12 percent for whites, the CDC said. "(to read the rest of the Reuters article)

"About 16 percent of Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 are infected with genital herpes, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, U.S. health officials said on Tuesday"

A another Article released November 16th by Reuters entitled “Sex Infections Still Growing in U.S., says CDC” was quite telling and is yet no shocker to anyone who understands what our U.S. culture and society has become. Another article released June 9th of this year posted by the AP (Associated Press) stated that about 26 percent of New York City adults have genital herpes, compared to about 19 percent nationwide. My friend, this is only the tip of the decadent iceberg!

The New York Health Department stated that genital herpes can double a person's risk for contracting HIV. The rate of contracting herpes is highest among New Yorkers, women, gay men and black people. My beloved, one-in-four New Yorkers has herpes!!! That's 2,000,000 individuals! This statistic should frighten and alarm any sane individual. How can this be? How can one in four have this dread disease? The answer is quite simple but quite often rejected and scoffed at. In rejecting the Author of all moral absolutes, fallen man has reaped the consequences of his godless behavior.

"One-in-four New Yorkers has herpes!!! That's 2,000,000 individuals! This statistic should frighten and alarm any sane individual"

The Sexual Revolution of the 60's has propelled our culture and society into a decadent, lewd and base bordello. America has become a sex-addicted culture from top to the bottom. From the old to the young, from the Internet to magazines, from prime-time television programming to the pop music industry, from Hollywood to Washington D.C., etc., the secular media has done all it can do to continually erode the moral fiber and scoff at any moral standard of this once great nation, which was founded on Judeo-Christian absolutes. The Puppet Master behind this sex crazed Secular Media Machine and society is none other then the Prince of the Power of the Air, i.e., Satan. His desire has been to destroy this nation's Christian witness to the world, which he has indeed accomplished.

The Bible states: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12), and Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others (Ephesians 2:2-3).

The scoffers of "Safe Sin" say,"To each his own. Don't push your morality on us. Why should we wait until marriage? We don’t need abstinence policies. Why should we abstain from our fornication or licentious behavior, etc., etc.?” This is why, Mr. and Mrs. Scoffer! Because there are consequences to such actions which are absolutely devastating!

The Bible states: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption (Galatians 6:7).

God through His word must and will always be vindicated!!! Let's take a look at these consequences. . "the secular media has done all it can do to continually erode the moral fiber and scoff at any moral standard of this once great nation, which was founded on Judeo-Christian absolutes" n Safe Sin?

Today STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) abound among our youth. Sexual addictions and pornography are possessing millions today. Marriages ruined by adultery are innumerable. The “traditional family” is in shambles. Children born out of wedlock are suffering great physiological burdens and emotional trauma. The worldwide AIDS epidemic is ramping up. Rising pedifella. Since 1973 there have been 46,000,000 abortions in the U.S., and the resulting psychological effect on women has been devastating. Sex trade and trafficking is blooming. Gay marriage and sodomy are being promoted and accepted with disastrous effects. Yet still, after all the horrible and devastating effects of these lifestyles, people still mock and scoff at those who practice morality and believe in the God of morality. The consequences of the Sexual Revolution have indisputably ravaged America. When will the scoffer learn and take heed to God's warnings which are given in love? God, who is Love, wants only the highest and best for all humanity. He thus gives stern warning about trampling on His Absolutes and trespassing against the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.

The Bible states: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 6:19-21).

God in His love warns about the consequences of these actions. Those who refuse to acknowledge their trespasses and repent of (i.e., turn away from) such behavior will be held accountable to their Creator, the Righteous Judge of all the earth.

The Bible states: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).

God in no way desires that any should perish; that is why He sent His Son to pay the price for our trespasses and sins. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (Ezekiel 18:23).

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel [or any Whosoever]? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye (Ezekiel 18:30-31).

The Word of God states: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17).

Those that put their trust in Jesus Christ, God's Son, find full and free forgiveness in and perfect fellowship with their Creator/ Redeemer and Sustainer.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:1-9).

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11).

There is hope today and deliverance from this raunchy society. This hope is found in Jesus Christ. In these last days may Almighty God and His Word be our source of sanity in this insane, secular, raunchy world that is only getting worse.

Gospel of John Challenge Safe Sin Red Light District America The Stupid That Follow Cupid – Eros Love

Posted by The Ignorant Fishermen at 9:04 AM 3 comments What Is Sin? The Testimony of the Egg

Today there are many different views and thoughts about just what the term “Sin” means. Just the word alone gives people the Hee-bee-Gee-bees. People do not like to think of themselves as “Sinners.” They say or think, “Well, I’m not that bad. I’ve never killed anyone. If you only knew the good I do...(and so on and so forth).” These statements and sentiments are expressed in attempting to justify themselves in light of the realities of their "sinful"condition. (John 3:19-21, Hebrews 6:1; 9:14).

Sin, as defined in God’s Word, the Bible, is the transgression and violation of the righteousness and perfection of Almighty God. Sin is also the transgression and violation of the Eternal/ Spiritual and Temporal (Time-bound)/ Natural laws and absolutes of Almighty God the Creator, which are established from the foundation of the world and eternity past (Acts 15:18; 1 John 3:4).

In Adam’s fall we sinneth all! (Romans 5:12, 19) We all are imperfect, we all have sinned! That is the bottom line. God’s Holy (perfect) Word states:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). (The word glory refers to the supreme stature of God, His surpassing “weight, worth and wealth,” and His righteous perfection and holy character.)

What is man, that he should be clean (pure), and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? (Job 15:14)

David said, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin (imperfection) did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5).

My friend, it isn’t hard to see. No one in his right mind would ever make such a declaration that he is absolutely perfect and righteous in and by themselves to stand before Almighty God on the Day of Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). Almighty God’s Word states:

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10).

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). .

"Sin is the transgression and violation of the Eternal/ Spiritual and Temporal (Time-bound)/ Natural laws and absolutes of Almighty God the Creator, which were established from the foundation of the world and eternity past. All humanity is guilty of this act"

My friend, we are like a broken egg. When an egg is smashed and broken, who can put it perfectly back together again? In the beginning God created us perfect (like a whole, unbroken egg) in Adam, but the transgression of Adam against the eternal spiritual laws (absolutes) and temporal natural laws of Almighty God caused him to die – both spiritually and physically. Thus, because of Adam’s transgression all who were born in Adam (i.e., the entire human race) were made “broken” sinners (Gen. 3; 2:16-17; Rom. 5:12-19).

It is utterly impossible to perfectly and totally obey the spiritual absolutes and natural laws ordained by Almighty God in our fallen, “broken egg” nature (Rom. 7:15-24; 8:5-8). The best a man (person) can do is to contain the vices and passions of his own heart (conservatism). That in itself certainly does not make one righteous enough to fulfill (satisfy) God’s laws.

God did not forsake His lost creation. He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to redeem man and to deliver them from their bondage and judgment of sin (their broken eggness/ trespasses).

The Bible states: For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosever (anyone and every one) believeth in him should not perish (will not die) but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17).

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (a broken egg), and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (Rom 8:3).

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners (broken eggs), Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

Who (Christ) was delivered for our offences (broken actions), and was raised again for our justification (Rom. 5:25).

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

There is great hope to all who look to Almighty God and His Son for deliverance!

God’s great desire is to redeem men and deliver us from the devastating consequences of sin. For all who put their trust in Him through Christ, He will exchange these “broken egg” natures and bodies of ours for new ones that will be completely perfect (1 John 3:1-2). These new, eternal bodies will be capable of enjoying Almighty God as He is in perfect holiness and righteousness! (1 Cor. 15:42-57)

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption (broken egg-ness) into the glorious liberty (a perfectly complete egg) of the children of God (Romans 8:21).

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption (broken egg-ness); it is raised in incorruption(a perfectly complete egg) (1 Cor. 15:42).

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away (Rev. 21:1).

God has given to all of Adam’s fallen race a wonderful future and deliverance from our “broken egg” humanity. We must choose by our own free will to receive Almighty God’s pardon and gift of eternal life (Eph. 2:8-9). Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? He alone can change your “broken egg” life to a perfect one. Trust Him today! You will never be the same!

And he (Jesus) said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God (Luke 18:27).

“..their is much evidence that Revelations is a message to the Christians of the day about the evils of Rome and the fall of the Emperor Nero. Seems to me like time that might be better spent elsewhere like working in a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter.” ~ LurkLongley

Exactly. bttt

The Great Premillennial HOAX - by Don Matzat
http://www.mtio.com/articles/aissar69.htm

In 1970, Hal Lindsey came out with his monstrous best-selling book (15 million sold), “The Late Great Planet Earth.” Since then, much of Evangelical Christianity has been obsessed with the signs of the times.

From 1971 until 1986, I was an active, visible participant in the Lutheran Charismatic Movement. Since the movement was highly influenced by Pentecostal thinking, in addition to adopting the theology of the Holy Spirit, many Lutheran Charismatics also adopted the eschatology of Pentecostals. I guess you might say, “We got the Holy Spirit, feathers and all.” I adopted and also taught the Premillennial view of the end times. In fact, given the circumstances in the world, there was little doubt in my mind that this was the accurate understanding of Biblical prophecy.

May 13, 1981
The evening of May 13, 1981, was the regular meeting of the Ladies’ Guild of Bethel Lutheran Church in Howard City, Mich. As pastor of the congregation, I attended the meeting and presented a topic for discussion.

May 13, 1981, was a very special evening for prophecy buffs. It could very well have been the last night that Christians would spend upon this earth. For if everything being said by the modern-day experts in Biblical prophecy was true, May 14 was the day of “the Rapture.”

As the pastor, I felt it was my responsibility to share the why and wherefore of this momentous event with these women. Being good, traditional, Lutheran laypeople, they knew very little, if anything, about Biblical prophecy. It was my task to warn them of the event that might transpire within the next 24 hours.

By sharing this story with you, I hope to impart the essence of Premillennial thinking.

The Generation of the Fig Tree
The Biblical scenario I presented to these unsuspecting women, proving that the rapture would take place the next day, began with an interpretation of Matt. 24:32-34. Jesus said:

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

What generation was Jesus talking about? Many scholars believed that it was the generation of the people that Jesus was addressing and that the events He was predicting were not the end of the world, but rather the destruction of Jerusalem. In fact, within 40 years, Jerusalem would be utterly destroyed.

While that is all well and good, there was another way of looking at these words of Jesus - a way that caused these predictions to become very real in the here and now.

From the notes in my Scofield Bible, I knew there would be a future restoration of Israel in the land. In Ez. 34:13, the prophet predicted that God would gather the Jews from the nations and bring them into their own land. Writing his notes in 1908, Scofield stated that this referred to a future restoration of the nation of Israel, or, as some perceived it, the budding of the fig tree. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was referred to as a fig tree. In Matt. 21:19, Jesus cursed the fig tree because it had no fruit. This was perceived as a rejection of Israel.

Well, on May 14, 1948, the fig tree budded. Israel became a nation as a result of a United Nations declaration. This date was vital to all Biblical prophecy experts. Israel was in the land. The countdown to the end had begun. We were indeed the generation of the fig tree. It was this generation that would see the end of all things. Since a generation was 40 years, the end would be in 1988.

Those who taught this view also taught, from Scripture, that before the end of all things, there would be a tribulation period of seven years according to the prophecies of Daniel. Rev. 7:14 speaks of the Great Tribulation. During those seven years, the anti-Christ would arise. He would be a political figure and, according to Dan. 7:24-25, he would be given authority by ten kings. Since the European Common market was forming and nearly ten nations had already come together, the time of the anti-Christ was soon upon us.

Other signs of the rise of the anti-Christ were obvious. Given the fact that scanning devices were beginning to become evident in grocery stores, could the “mark of the beast” be far behind? We would soon be in the position of having to make a choice when the government brands us with a mark on the right hand or forehead, without which we would not be able to buy or sell, according to Revelation 13.

In addition, Ezekiel 38 and 39 warned about the invasion of Israel by “Gog and Magog.” According to the notes in my Scofield Bible, this referred to a time when Israel was in the land and Russia, advancing from the north, would invade them. The politics at that time allowed for this to be a very real possibility. The book of Ezekiel stated that God will destroy the Russian army and the buzzards would eat their flesh. A tract was being circulated that claimed the buzzards were laying twice as many eggs in Israel in order to have enough troops to eat the Russians. (I often wondered how they knew this.)

In 1967, the armies of Israel had captured the old city of Jerusalem, including temple mount. According to Ezekiel 40ff., the millennial temple was to be built. Everything was in order. An interesting rumor circulated that the stones for the temple were already carved out of Bedford, Ind., limestone and were hidden in caves. Other rumors stated that the Ark of the Covenant had been discovered under the temple site and that plans to rebuild were underway.

It was happening!
In 1978, I led my first trip to the land of Israel. There were four groups of Lutheran Charismatics taking the trip. I led one of the groups. The purpose of the trip was to attend a “Prophecy Conference” in Jerusalem, led by Derek Prince. Since so much of my thinking had been influenced by the popular Premillennial prophetic notions of the day, it was an exciting trip. Things were happening in the land. The people were restored. God seemed to be on their side as they went to battle against the enemies who surrounded them.

Prince spoke on the subject of parallel restorations, comparing the events in Israel with the events marking the growth of the Charismatic Movement. In 1948, when Israel became a nation, both the Billy Graham crusades and the Latter Rain Movement (early roots of the Charismatic Movement) started. In 1967, when Israel took the old city of Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Roman Catholics at Notre Dame. In 1971, the Yom Kippur war broke out in Israel while the Holy Spirit moved mightily on the different denominations. For one participating in these events, these connections were obvious.

What was happening at the Dead Sea was very interesting. Zechariah 14 spoke of the return of the Messiah to the Mount of Olives, causing a great earthquake that would split the mount in two. Living water would flow from temple mount.

This stream of living water coming out of temple mount would flow to the Dead Sea and, according to Ezekiel (47:8ff):

This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds - like the fish of the Great Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh they will be left for salt.

Well, parts of this prophecy were already in place. The Dead Sea had been divided due to the lack of water flowing down from the Sea of Galilee. The fresh water from the Galilee was being pumped into the desert so that the “desert was blooming,” as Is. 35:1-2 stated.

This lack of water to the Dead Sea divided the sea. As Ezekiel predicted, a portion would be left for salt after the rest of the Sea had been sweetened with the living water pouring out of temple mount. We even took a dip in the Dead Sea at En Gedi, rejoicing that one day this would be sweet water after Jesus returned. In fact, our guide, who catered to end-of-the-world-minded Christians, showed us fish ponds near the northern-most part of the Dead Sea which, according to his explanation, were being prepared for the time when the Dead Sea would be sweetened.

Back to May 13, 1981
A very important ingredient in the Premillennial scenario was “the rapture.” Christians would not pass through the great seven-year tribulation. They would be taken out or snatched away and be with the Lord. In Matt. 24:38-41, Jesus spoke of one being taken and one being left. Also, 1 Thess. 4:17 “clearly” spoke of the Rapture:

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The Rapture of the church was imminent. Hal Lindsey had stated that it was the next event in the prophetic scenario. I had a bumper sticker that read, “In case of rapture, this car will self-destruct.” My favorite song was “The King Is Coming.” According to the Premillennial scenario, the end of all things would be in 1988, or 40 years after Israel occupied in the land and the “fig tree blossoms.” If you deduct seven years for the Tribulation, this means that on May 14, 1981, the rapture of the Church would take place. Therefore, this was a very exciting evening to be alive!

I shared every detail with the women of the Bethel Lutheran Church Ladies’ Guild. After my presentation, one little elderly woman said, “Reverend, why are you scaring us?”

Well, May 14, 1988, came and went, and nothing happened. In fact, 1988 came and went and nothing happened. Since that time, the Soviet Union has disbanded. The European Common Market now includes far more than ten members and Israel is giving land back to the Palestinians. When the events did not pan out, some prophecy “experts” redated the blooming of the fig tree to 1967, when Israel occupied the old city of Jerusalem. This would put the time of the end in the year 2007 and the “rapture” in the year 2000. The Y2K scare also fueled the notion that this would be the start of the tribulation. Again, it didn’t happen.

Having bought into this Premillennial way of thinking and living with great expectations that came to absolutely nothing brought me to the conclusion that this theology is the greatest hoax ever visited upon unsuspecting Christians. The hoax lives on. Despite of unfulfilled predictions, the thinking persists.

The Roots of the System
I embraced the Premillennial Dispensational way of thinking because it appeared to be the most reasonable explanation of the events that were occurring. It is the primary end-time position taught within much of modern Evangelical Christianity, even though all the predictions that have arisen as a result of this view have come to naught. What is the source of this teaching? How did it arise?

In 1832, Edward Irving (1792-1834) established the Catholic Apostolic Church and taught the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Irving believed there had to be a reestablishment of the 12 apostles before Jesus would return. He appointed these 12 apostles. Of course, one by one, they eventually died and Jesus never returned. John Nelson Darby, who founded the Plymouth Brethren in 1847 in England and Ireland, spearheaded the dispensational interpretation of the Bible. He was widely influenced by Edward Irving. Darby taught that Biblical history is divided into seven “dispensations” or periods of time. The final dispensation would be the 1000-year millennial reign of Christ on earth. An important key to understanding Dispensationalism is the notion that God will reestablish an earthly kingdom with the nation of Israel. For this reason, the events in Israel are of vital importance for the Premillennial Dispensationalist. Before the coming of Jesus, the temple would be rebuilt and the sacrificial system reinstated.

Because this kingdom was offered and then refused by the Jews, it would be offered again in the future. By crucifying Jesus, the Jews rejected the kingdom, but God did not reject Israel. As an after-thought or a parenthesis, Christ then went on to establish the church because Gentiles now believed what the Jews rejected. This is the “Church Age” spoken of by Dispensationalists and it must end before God can re-establish His primary work with the Jews. The church age ends with the rapture. Darby’s Dispensational ideas caught on like wildfire in America, and were widely spread by the Scofield Reference Bible. Scofield, a layman, having studied Biblical prophecy for 30 years, added notes to the text of Scripture promoting Darby¹s Dispensational theology. Many Christians today regard Scofield’s notes as being equally inspired as the Bible itself.

Apparently, however, neither Darby nor Scofield originated the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture. Darby was inspired by a woman named Margaret MacDonald who reported a revelation given to her by God during a healing service in Port Glasgow, Scotland, in 1830. MacDonald reported that in her vision, there was a two-stage process to the Second Coming of Christ. The first stage, the rapture, removed the church from this world. Christians would be caught up before the great tribulation and be taken to heaven. After the tribulation, Jesus would return to earth and establish His millennial kingdom. These ideas were embraced by Darby, promoted by Scofield and developed more fully in many of the Bible schools like Moody, Fuller and especially Dallas Theological Seminary during the 20th century in the United States. Many of the more fanatical proponents of the premillennial view are graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary.

Bad Theology
This theological system is replete with errors.

1. The present-day nation of Israel is no more involved in God’s plans for the future than is France, England, Germany, the United States, etc. The teaching of the New Testament is very clear - Jesus fulfilled everything pertaining to Israel and formed the New Israel, His church. It is an abomination to claim that the church is merely a parenthesis or an afterthought in the divine scheme of redemption. In fact, the Bible clearly states that the plans of God and the wisdom of God will be revealed in His church (Eph. 3:8-11).

2. Much of the “tribulation prophecy” in the Old Testament prophets, the Olivet discourses of our Lord Jesus, and the Book of Revelation was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. When Jesus said in Matt. 24:32-34 that “this generation will not pass away,” He was not referring to some future generation that would see the political nation of Israel established by the United Nations. He was referring to the generation alive at the time He spoke the words. His words were fulfilled. In 70 A.D. Jerusalem was utterly destroyed. In fact, there is a view of Biblical prophecy called Preterism. Those who hold the view claim that all futuristic prophecy was fulfilled in the First Century.

3. The teaching of two “second comings” of Jesus is not Biblical. As the Apostles’ Creed simply states, “From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.” On the mount of Ascension the angels told the disciples that He would come again in the same way they saw Him depart into heaven. Nowhere does the Bible teach two “second comings.” The language of 1 Thess. 4:17 does not allow for the “rapture” teaching. The phrase “to meet the Lord” literally means “to meet for the purpose of welcoming back.” The Greek phrase “to meet” ( eis apanthsin) is only used on four occasions in the New Testament. In each case it means to go out to meet for the purpose of welcoming. (See, for example, Acts 28:15.)

Conclusion
Premillennial Dispensationalism is a deceptive teaching. Those who promote these views and fill the minds of God’s people with this nonsense are perpetrating a hoax.

Jesus is coming again. This is our glorious hope. Jesus told us to be about the business of preaching and teaching His Gospel and not speculate about His second coming. Those who believe in Jesus and trust His blood and righteousness for their salvation are prepared for His coming. “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”

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